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King Cobra
[Wild Animals in India]

The King Cobra, found in India is the largest venomous snake in the world. In a single bite it can inject enough venom to kill an elephant - up to 6- 7 ml. This is enough to kill up to 20 people. The King Cobra is worshipped in India, particularly on the festive occasion of Nag Panchami and is depicted in sculptures on temple walls and celebrated in myth and legend. The venom of King Cobras has a paralyzing effect on the nerves and has been used to develop painkillers used to treat arthritis in humans.

Zoological name: Ophiophagus hannah

Range: King Cobras are found across South East Asia from India through Southern China, Vietnam Malaysia Indonesia and the Philippines. The largest recorded King Cobras have been found in peninsular Malaysia.

Estimated population. Exact numbers of King Cobra population in India are unknown. They are considered an endangered species.

Physical
characteristics: King Cobras grow to an average length of 3 m. The longest recorded King Cobra was 5.58 m. When threatened the King Cobra reacts by putting on a threat display. It rises to one-third the length of its body, spreads its hood and emits a hissing noise. The color of a King Cobra's body can range from black to gray to brownish green. The belly is usually white or cream in color. Young King Cobras, which are about 14 inches long, have bright markings on their bodies. They often have yellow, white or black bands across their bodies. These bright bands fade with time to become the broad chevron like markings seen on adult cobras.

Habitat: King Cobras prefer rainforest and humid jungle. Thick undergrowth, cool swamps and bamboo clusters. Cobras prefer to avoid human habitation. The destruction of their habitat has led to increased human cobra conflict. Cobras can slide up trees and bushes and spend a significant amount of time above the ground, looking for prey.

Diet: King Cobras feed on other snakes and small reptiles. It's preferred diet is non-venomous snakes such as the Rat Snake but also eats venomous snakes such as the Common or Indian Cobra, smaller King Cobras and Kraits. It can eat snakes that are almost its own length and also eats monitor lizards, frogs and other small amphibians and reptiles. The King cobra kills striking its prey with its fangs and injecting a lethal amount of venom. It then swallows its prey whole.

Behavior: King Cobras can rise up to one-third their length and look for prey or as a defensive gesture. They rarely attack humans and will only strike to protect its eggs, in self-defense or when threatened or provoked. The King Cobra prefers to avoid confrontation with humans. Male King Cobras wrestle with each other in ritual mating contests for a female cobra. King Cobras are the only snakes that make nests for their eggs. The female snake or Queen brings together a pile of leaves. As the leaves decay they generate heat, which keeps the eggs warm. The Queen lays 20-40 eggs in the base of the nest and curls up above them to keep them warm till they hatch. The eggs are incubated for 2 months. During this time the Queen will defend her nest from any predators. The Queen leaves the nest just before the young snakes emerge from their eggs. In India the traditional belief is that King Cobras mate for life. King Cobras shed their skin several times a year in a process known as ecdysis.

Status: King Cobras are threatened by the loss of rainforest jungle and bamboo groves. The destruction of their natural habitat has led King Cobras to come into conflict with humans. The fear of the cobra's venom often leads to Cobras being killed as soon as they are seen. Cobras are usually killed due to human encroachment. They are also killed for their skin which is used to make leather items such as belts, purses and bags.

Tourists can see King Cobras at the Snake Park near Chennai in Tami Nadu, on India Wildlife Tours. In the wild King Cobras are found in sanctuaries in South and North Eastern India, but prefer to avoid humans and are not easily seen in the wild.